The Denver Nuggets closed the regular season with a 128–118 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, securing the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Head coach David Adelman highlighted the contribution of Denver’s younger rotation players in his postgame press conference at Frost Bank Center.
“Yeah, I mean they just like I said before the game you know we prepared to win the game,” Adelman said. “Played the young guys late. The performances by those guys was really impressive.”
Adelman specifically pointed to multiple bench contributors who shaped the late-game stretch. “You know, you get David Roddy with 13 rebounds, seven offensive rebounds. You know, Curtis 13 points, Pickett 11 and six playing the point guard position. And Julian Strawther 25 points just building off what he’s been doing throughout the season.”
He emphasized Denver’s offensive structure and ball movement regardless of lineup changes. “Whoever plays for us, we had 30 assists. Whoever plays for us, you know, we had 19 offensive rebounds with this group, but after the rebounds, making the right plays for each other.”
Adelman added that the team’s identity has remained consistent across the season. “If you take a lot of open shots, you’re bound to score a lot of points. And that’s what we’ve done the whole season.”
Denver’s win also marked a milestone in franchise history, something Adelman addressed directly. “Most road wins in team history. To get to 54 with all the stuff that’s gone on. Just immensely proud of the group.”
Looking ahead to the postseason, Adelman acknowledged the reset that comes with playoff preparation. “It’s high. But this is then it just restarts now. You know, we have a week to prepare.”
He also framed the upcoming Western Conference matchup with Minnesota as familiar territory. “We know it’s going to be a battle. I mean, it always is with that team.”
Adelman dismissed the idea of avoiding opponents in the postseason landscape. “You can’t duck opponents and they didn’t want to duck us. We’re not ducking anybody.”
On Nikola Jokic’s approach in a limited role, Adelman noted the veteran’s response to effort around him. “I think he embraced it because how hard those guys were playing with him.”
He also highlighted David Roddy’s development and role clarity. “If you know who you are you give yourself a chance and he knows what he is. He plays with physicality, great energy, hits the glass.”
Asked about Roddy’s playoff role, Adelman remained measured. “He’s earned the right to have that conversation, and that’s all you want as a player.”
Adelman closed by outlining the immediate preparation window for Denver. “Tomorrow is a blackout day for players, but also for coaches… and you kind of work your way off those practices.”
The Nuggets now shift focus to a first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with momentum and rotation decisions shaping the final lead-in to Game 1.
